The Pitfalls Of Sampson (Part 1)

Theodore Mawuli Kwaku Viwotor

Sampson remains, by far, the strongest man that ever lived on earth, considering the mighty things he did with his strength. He singlehandedly killed a lion (Judges 14:5-6) and defeated the armies of the Philistines in many of the battles he fought.

In spite of all these achievements or feats, Samson allowed some pitfalls in his life to reduce him from the strongest and most feared man among the Philistines to a blind miserable prisoner.

Just like Sampson, most of us Christians of today are committing the same mistakes or pitfalls that brought that great man down. Whilst some of us are conscious of these pitfalls in our lives, there are yet many who are ignorantly yielding to the traps of the enemy, even with when we have the example of Samson as a warning or guide.

If we look critically at the life of Sampson, we would clearly observe some of the mistakes he committed that we are, unfortunately, repeating today and it sad to note that, the traps the enemy used to get him are the same he is using to get many of us.

The first most serious pitfall or mistake Sampson committed during his days on earth was complacency.

Complacency
Complacency is a very dangerous tool the enemy is using against Christians of today, especially those in leadership position. The Bible seriously warns us against complacency. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (New King James Version). This verse is by far one of the strictest warnings against complacency.

Complacency is a false thought or feeling of satisfaction or sufficiency that could be very deadly to the Christian. Bible emphasizes on the thought because it guides our actions; so, when a person begins to think everything is alright when that is not the actual case, he begins to act in a way that defies common sense. It is just like a student playing during studies time because he feels he is intelligent enough to write and pass any exam that comes his way or a Christian knowingly eating poisoned food, thinking God would protect him from its effects.

The Bible recounts in Judges 16 that Samson saw a prostitute in Gaza and went in to sleep with her. The Gazites heard of it and laid ambush, waiting to kill him when it is day. Samson woke up at midnight and broke the gate of the city and carried it away. This feat was a great one that started what would later become his waterloo.

As time went on, he met another lady by name Delilah and went in for her. The Philistines, the Israelites' enemies, heard of the fact that Samson had got a lady in their midst and started using Delilah to get to know the source of his strength in order to get him. If there is anything the devil desires so much to cut off from the life of the Christian, it is nothing but his source of strength. Whatever gives us strength to overcome the battles of life is a valuable asset we must not toil with at all.

Every Christian is a Nazarene or Nazarite (Numbers 6) through the new birth in Christ Jesus and as a Nazarene, he is bound to live a disciplinary life that would continue to strengthen him at all times against the wiles of the enemy. No matter how strong one is as a Christian, his strength is maintained and boosted by a disciplined life that is in line with the Word of God. When one begins to think he is strong enough to stand the enemy even when he misbehaves, then he is threading on dangerous grounds. This can only happen when complacency sets in. Samson, a Nazarene by birth, had been given rules to follow to maintain his extraordinary strength but he finally lost it when he gave out the secret to his strength.

When Delilah started probing for the source of Samson's strength, one would expect him to become conscious of the plot on his life; but rather than becoming wise enough to flee temptation, Samson went back to the woman who had proven to be the enemy's agent than a lover.

Is it not very shocking that, on the three consecutive occasions that Delilah openly tried to find out what made Samson extraordinarily strong, he did not come to his senses to flee this snare of a woman? Is it not also surprising that he kept on going back even when it became clear that his life was at stake?

This is what complacency can do any Christian who begins to think he can live anyhow and still continue to benefit from the protection of the Lord. The principles of Christendom should not be compromised at any point in life.

Samson's complacent behavior stems from the fact that, on the three occasions he perfectly deceived Delilah and equally outwitted and overcame the Philistines. His past victories misled him into foolhardiness. God is not interested in fools or foolishness; that is why he warns Christians to flee from sin, especially those that easily bring very serious consequences on us (1 Corinthians 6:18; 2Timothy 2:22).

Complacency is dangerous because we are dealing with a very deadly enemy who would go to any extent to take us away from God into destruction. Remember, he came to steal, to kill and to destroy-nothing more, nothing less (John 10:10).

How many times haven't we escaped from the traps of the enemy and returned to them. The fact that you outsmarted everyone with a sin doesn't mean you can continue to do it and get away with it. God's mercy comes to our rescue when we sin but that is no license to keep on sinning or doing the wrong thing with the false belief that God is always merciful so can forever tolerate or forgive our sins.

His mercy and grace are to help us out of our weaknesses and shortfalls but not excuses to continue engaging in dangerous acts that could turn us into the enemy's prey. Complacency is a form of foolishness. You can't be smarter than God or the devil; it is just His mercy that makes us strong enough to overcome the devil. So, we can only remain victorious if we abide in Him and obey His word.

Let no Christian think he has prayed enough; Bible says: “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Prayer is a very potent source of empowerment and strength to every Christian and forsaking it with the belief that you are okay, could be very disastrous. Never forsake the things that make you strong in the Lord; keep on doing those things that draw you closer to God no matter how strong or satisfied you feel because the devil never rests but always looks for Christians to devour (1Peter 5:8).

Get rid of any act of complacency in your life for complacency kills.

Theodore Mawuli Kwaku Viwotor Is The Head Of The Pastoral Team Of The Church Of Philadelphia International, Dansoman Near The Police Station.

He Can Be Reached Through: [email protected]
Also Call For Spiritual Guidance And Counselling: 020 936 08 00